Andy has been writing about the governance of sport for over 15 years. Prior to working on the Sports Integrity Initiative, he was the editor of World Sports Law Report for eight years. He has also worked for the Press Association and has written for numerous trade magazines. He has also created, chaired and spoken at numerous conferences on the business of sport, and produced the Sports Law Show for iSportConnect TV.
All posts by Andy Brown
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) has discovered that a private company tipped off Russian powerlifters about when they would be tested in return for cash. The company involved, ‘Anti-Doping Initiative’ (Антидопинговая инициатива), concluded an agreement with the Russian Powerlifting Federation (FPR) to carry out all doping tests in Russian...
A decision in which an athlete was able to prove that his adverse analytical finding (AAF) was caused by supplement contamination has not been publicised by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), highlighting the problems faced by athletes in finding supporting case law when charged with an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). Christopher...
The Austrian anti-doping commission (ÖADR) has provisionally suspended cross country skier Johannes Dürr, as part of ongoing investigations into doping in Austria and Germany. In January, Dürr admitted that he had used blood transfusions, erythropoietin (EPO) and growth hormones in an interview with reporters (video below), broadcast by Sportschau...
Seven athletes have been provisionally suspended after reporting adverse analytical findings (AAF) during competition, the National Doping Agency of India (NADA India) announced in its March newsletter (PDF below). The seven included two weightlifting minors, and two U21 freestyle wrestlers, who were suspended at the Khelo India Youth Games...
The global athlete movement for recognition on sport’s governing bodies is gathering momentum. This was highlighted at the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) 15th Symposium, which took place from 13-14 March in Lausanne and involved a closed session for athletes to voice and formulate their concerns. For the second time...
The 900 delegates at the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) annual Symposium in Lausanne heard that new International Standards are being formulated; new Articles introduced into the World Anti-Doping Code; governance reforms are being introduced; and athletes are gaining a greater – albeit limited – say in the organisation that...
The Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) yesterday approved ‘in principle’ a number of changes which it believes will make race walking more attractive to the media and the public, despite opposition from athletes. The 50km race walk will remain in place for both men and...
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) today maintained the suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF), as its Taskforce advised that two conditions required for its reinstatement have not been met. Those are that RusAF has not met the costs of its suspension, and the IAAF has yet...
• Luca Mazzoni, goalkeeper with Serie B club Livorno, has been provisionally suspended after returning an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, after Lecce’s 3-2 victory over Livorno on 17 February. The provisional suspension was announced by Italy’s national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia). • The...
The Estonian Ski Association (ESL) has said that all those proven to be involved in blood doping, or in covering up blood doping, will face a life ban from working in Estonian skiing. The ESL make the announcement after a third Estonian cross country skier, Algo Kärp, told Öhtuleht...
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has committed to relaxing Rule 40 of the Olympic Charter in Germany, which restricts participants in the Olympic Games from advertising, following a ruling from the country’s Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt). “Our decision grants German athletes more leeway when it comes to marketing themselves...
The Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) has rejected an appeal from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) against a ruling that required it to cover C$1,000 (€661.50) in witness costs, paid by a University athlete in order to obtain a reduced doping sanction. If followed...
• The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has announced that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has refused to grant Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) status to 13 athletes, as they have not been part of a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) for the required period. Under Rule 22.1A of the...
Swiss cyclist Nicole Hanselmann finished in 74th place despite initially leading the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2019, after organisers were forced to halt the women’s race due to Hanselmann catching the men, who had started ten minutes earlier. ‘Today was the first spring classic in Belgium’, wrote Hanselmann on Instagram...
Two Austrian cyclists have been implicated in doping investigations that last week resulted in the arrest of five athletes and four members of an alleged doping network in Austria and Germany. It is understood that Stefan Denifl confessed to doping after being questioned by police late last week; and...
